Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. For what it’s worth, this was showing its best after some air and I’d probably recommend at least a 30min decant if opening at this stage. The 2018 Cuchet-Béliando pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe and some tart black and red fruits: blackberries, raspberries, purple flowers, black pepper, grilled meat, dried green herbs, rocky earth and gentle spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose though the black pepper is even more prominent here. The finish is long and tremendously satisfying. Another absolute beauty from Cuchet-Béliando. Drink now with patience and through 2048. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 13 days ago

ESF

9.2

@Lyle Fass is spot on w/this wine — just fantastic and approachable price point. — 7 months ago

Daniel Bloom

9.0

On a 92° day, all concrete fits the bill nicely. Pinot Gris that at first screams Apples, then settles into muted oranges and almonds. Nice, if almost enough acidity to carry it. A mid-lier.Enderle & Moll is always welcome.
Thanks @ FassSelections
Welcome back, Lyle.! — 7 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.7

After a warm 2020 this 2021 is more backwards and classic and reminds me of the 2016‘s. The first bottle had a touch VA which blew off. Second one has no VA. Violets and a hint of roses. Robust beautiful cherry 🍒. Touch bark. This is a top vintage for them. Awesomeness in a bottle for a ridiculous low price for this quality. It’s hard to put the glass down - it is that good. So in this instance I do rate this higher than Lyle F. 3 days later on the Argon line - this is still exceptional elegant and unique. Gained weight and at the same time super elegant. What a wine. — 9 months ago

Zach D

9.6

A vibrant lemon color in the glass. On the nose a powerful yet elegant deep lemon, tangerine and other mixed citrus, white and yellow flowers, lemon blossom, jasmine. On the palate the most beautiful tangerine, lemon and yuzu citrus. The most impressive, however, is the finish. Incredibly long, and evolves to a dried lemon/citrus rind that is very unique. I wonder with age if this dried character will become more in the forefront, which makes me very excited to revisit in 3-5 years. Outlasts many GG quality wines, and many times for me when Riesling has a lengthy finish there seems to be some phenolic bitterness, but this wine is pure. A triumph, and incredible value. @Lyle Fass — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Apropos, the vines for “La Chapelle” are adjacent to the chapel perched at the very top of the Mont Brouilly where it is quite dry and the soil is very poor. The vineyard is also remarkably steep making manual harvest essential.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Fairly consistent throughout but I felt it was most enjoyable on Day 2 and 3. The 2022 “La Chapelle” pours a deep ruby/purple color; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful and fresh with beautiful notes of tart blackberries, red plum, wet stone, a combination of red and purple flowers, licorice, dried green herbs, some wood varnish. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and has a stiff spine of minerals. This is a cerebral wine compared to “Godefroy” (which is almost quaffable in comparison). Drinking well now to enjoy its freshness but will undoubtedly drink well through 2037+. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

I’ve been wanting to try the wines of Cantina Tomaso Gianolio for years but finding them on this side of the Atlantic has been a challenge. As of now, I don’t know much about where Davide and Igor Gianolio source their fruit but the family has been making these wines in a traditional manner for over 90 years so I’m sure the source is exceptional. So traditional, even the cork is short and stubby, lol!

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Consistent throughout. The 2019 pours a light garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and tar forward early but it quickly transforms into a veritable beauty with notes of raspberries, rose water, tar, star anise, talcum powder, and dry, stony earth. On the palate, the with is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Elegant and lovely expression of the 2019 vintage. Drink now with patience and through 2044 (if the cork will keep that long). Huge thanks to @Lyle Fass for the assist! — 9 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

Of the box. And yes Lyle will kill me for not waiting. But F…..yeah. This is the best most different vintage they ever made. Black currants, raspberries really and i mean really - juicy oh man this is insane drinkable. Light 12% with some acids so much grace and balance. Tasted this vintage in the cellar in May. Unreal vintage across the board. A different take than in the past. Stylistically different but boy is this good. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

The Godefroy lieu-dit sits below the Brouilly hill, to the east. The vines here are very old; some over a century!

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Fairly consistent throughout. The 2022 “Godefroy” pours a deep ruby/purple color; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with perfumed notes of ripe strawberries, Rainier cherry, red plum, forest floor, and red flowers. There’s also a slight funky note, a sort of mushroom thing that I really liked. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+; almost chewy. Compared to the “La Chapelle” from earlier in the week, Godefroy is rounder; a bit more fun, flirty and funky whereas “La Chapelle” is darker fruited, more chiseled; stony and sexy. Drinking well now and through 2037+. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 5 months ago

ESF

9.0

Great value, in a great drinking window - see all other comments. A @Lyle Fass find — 8 months ago